When you’re using a virtual private network (VPN), your browsing activities are hidden and secure. However, many people assume that any VPN service is free and safe to use. Sadly, this isn’t always the case. Just as with any other digital service, there are many dodgy VPN providers out there trying to steal your personal information rather than keep it private. But what are the risks of using a free VPN? Should You Use a Free VPN? Many users believe that if something is free then it has to be safe and trustworthy. The reality is rather different. There are several excellent paid VPN services on the market that offer fantastic value for money and first-class security features – combined with zero logging of user activity or personal data.
Free VPNs Are Not Secure
It’s true that some of the paid VPNs out there don’t offer the level of security their users would like. But there’s no such issue with free VPNs. They simply can’t afford to provide the same level of security as paid VPNs, due to financial constraints. Free VPNs are often run on a shoestring budget by organizations that don’t have the revenue to invest in proper security features. As such, many of them don’t use military-grade encryption which is essential for keeping hackers out of your computer. Instead, they rely on weaker data encryption algorithms, such as standard 256-bit AES or even the weaker 128-bit AES. As such, using a free VPN leaves you wide open to hackers, cybercriminals, and government surveillance. In fact, government agencies can often tap into free VPNs and monitor users’ internet activity easily.
Free VPNs Sell Your Data
Many free VPNs actually sell your browsing data to third parties, making them nothing more than glorified data harvesting companies. A free VPN’s main source of income is often by harvesting and selling your data to third-party advertisers. They might promise that they collect “anonymous” data, but this isn’t true. It’s very easy for your data to be traced back to you – especially when your VPN service is also logging your browsing data. There are several VPN companies that have been caught red-handed selling their users’ browsing data to third parties – including logs and IP addresses. One such VPN, Hola, was discovered to be selling its users’ bandwidth to third-party websites, making them nothing more than a glorified botnet. If a free VPN is selling your browsing data, you can bet that there’s a good chance it’s also storing it too. If a VPN company is paid to keep your browsing data totally private and anonymous, there’s simply no reason for it to store it in the first place.
Free VPNs Can Be Very Slow
Many free VPN services are very slow. This is often due to high levels of user traffic or low server capacity. All too often, free VPNs offer limited bandwidth, and you may find that you get disconnected when the service is too busy. You may also find it difficult to download large files. Streamers may also experience buffering issues when using a free VPN service. Free VPN services are often very slow because they have limited server capacity. To cope with high levels of user traffic, they sometimes route your traffic through an extremely long chain of servers – some of which may be very far away from your physical location.
Free VPNs Are Not Anonymous
Free VPNs are often very insecure, and many of them are run by organizations that actively log your browsing data. For this reason, using a free VPN will destroy your online anonymity – and could even get you into legal trouble. VPNs are often used to bypass government censorship or geo-blocking of websites or to protect sensitive data sent across public WiFi networks. For these reasons, it’s critical to use a VPN that offers top-notch security. Sadly, many free VPN services are very insecure. They often log user data and don’t offer any encryption. For example, you could be vulnerable to IP or MAC address leaks if you’re using a free VPN service. IP and MAC addresses can be traced back to your physical location, enabling hackers to steal your sensitive data. Using a free VPN service is about as anonymous as conducting your browsing session in the middle of a crowded street.
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Free VPNs May Have Malware Or Ads
Even more alarming, some free VPNs may contain malware or ad-tracking features that could seriously damage your device. Many free VPN apps are riddled with ads and may even contain malware. The VPN provider is often paid by third parties for showing their ads on your device, so there’s a good chance you’ll be inundated with ads on your screen. Similarly, many free VPNs contain hidden tracking features that collect data about your browsing habits and sell it to third parties. This type of malicious behavior is especially common among free browser plug-ins claiming to be VPNs.
Summing Up
Using a free VPN service is like playing Russian roulette. Even though some free VPNs may work for a short while, you can’t be certain that they won’t sell or leak your data or damage your device with malware. You could end up losing your sensitive data or even end up with a device that’s been hacked. Instead of hoping that a free VPN will keep your sensitive data safe, it’s best to invest in a paid-for service from a well-known provider with a good reputation. so, Should You Use a Free VPN? It’s up to you now.
